| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You'll be fine.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
If everything is consensual, you're good to go. Why would there be a problem?
| 9 people marked this as a favorite. |
Depends, which half is god and which half your paladin has sex with.
Just kidding, seems fine and definitely not a succubus trying to trick you into siring a half-demon baby to raise in a fast time area of the Abyss to try and kill you next year.
As long as its not an evil god or something you're good.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I just love paladins.
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Are you in a loving committed relationship?
'Cause, c'mon, paladins don't do one night stands.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Assuming the half god is not of an evil alignment (given they want heroes I am assuming as such) I dont see an issue unless your deity has some prohibition against procreation out of wedlock. Its certainly not against any general paladin's code. Especially if this demigod is some agent of good.
Assuming the half god is not of an evil alignment (given they want heroes I am assuming as such) I dont see an issue unless your deity has some prohibition against procreation out of wedlock. Its certainly not against any general paladin's code. Especially if this demigod is some agent of good.
I'm of this mind as well. Someone like Erastil might be a bit disapproving of one-night stands given his traditionalism and it might run afoul of some LG deities in other sources like Berronar Truesilver in the Forgotten Realms. But those would all be because of the specific personality or portfolio of the gods in question - not because of anything inherently paladin-based.
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
What half of the god are you planning on having sex with?
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
Why do so many people seem to think that paladins have weird hangups about sex?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
'Cause, c'mon, paladins don't do one night stands.
I haven't seen any rules saying they can't, or that one night stands are inherently unlawful or evil.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Why do so many people seem to think that paladins have weird hangups about sex?
Because historically (game wise) many people have made paladins into thematic parallels with Western Cultures Religious Zealots within the Christian Church. Which in many cases includes some very..lets say Catholic...views on sexual behavior.
I remember the 3.0 book on paladins/divine characters (cant remember the name of it right now) actually mentioned something along the lines of 'You know paladins dont have to be celebate stick in the muds to be lawful and good'. Its just something that many people have associated with the deeply devout since many major wester churches have very stringent views on sex, so it has played out when they pretended to be similar characters in a fantasy setting.
|
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
Is your partner capable of giving informed consent? Have they? Do you have proper respect for each other? Are you going to leave your partner as well or better off afterwards than they were beforehand?
If yes, you are fine.
'Cause, c'mon, paladins don't do one night stands.
Oh I love encountering misconceptions like this sometimes. It makes the education to follow so satisfying. :)
| 5 people marked this as a favorite. |
I'm going to be the Debbie Downer here.
I do think that sex and short term dalliances are completely allowed for paladins, as long as they are LG - respectful, honest, consensual and so on. That's not what ticks me off about scenario like this one and the 'my god sent me an angel to make an aasimar with, what honor' idea... Why would the mortal do it?
In most of these cases, just like this time, the character is a paladin, someone who is devoted to duty, doing the right thing, going out of their way to help others. Why does someone like that agree to have a child that they won't be able/allowed to take care of? To love, to see them grow, to have a relationship with... Wouldn't a paladin want to fulfill his or her parental duty to the best of their abilities, instead of being a glorified breeding stock for divines? Wouldn't it weigh down on their heart that there's a child of theirs somewhere and they will probably never see them?
|
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
At the OP - it's wrong. You're just leading that goddess on, you'll get her pregnant, and then you'll just ride off, leaving her to look after the baby while you go adventuring. You'll probably get killed, and even if you don't it'll still be a single-parent family, the kid'll go off the rails, and with divine powers and all it'll probably end up some uber-bad guy causing misery and suffering to entire dimensions. That's so irresponsible, I'm surprised you are even considering it. It's looking pretty Chaotic at best, probably Evil. Keep it in your trousers, keep the faith.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'm more concerned about this demigoddess making the proposition. In terms of imbalance of power, this is way worse than, say, an adult propositioning a child. How can your consent be said to be free and uncoerced when, in the back of your head, you can't forget that she could squish you like a bug just by thinking it?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Count me in with those who believe it would be OK, as long as it's for the "right" reasons: cherishing, love, respect, and a willingness to meet all of the obligations as a partner/parent (to the best of your ability). Anything else, and you start moving toward Chaotic-leaning behavior (or even Evil).
One-night stands, as typically defined (i.e., outside of existing long-term friendships), are fairly antithetical to a Lawful ethos (no consideration of consequences or the effect on the community) and can easily start trending toward Evil (self-gratification with no consideration toward others, or even abusive behaviors toward the "partner"). Paladins don't need to be prudes, but they would tend to frown on such acts in general (although be supportive of specific cases where the "right" reasons are met).
I'm curious as to what exactly is meant by "half god". Are we talking demi-god? Quasi-deity? Mythic character? Nephilim?
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I would talk to the GM about what exactly your code requires. It's possible that a GM could rule that premarital sex is un-chivalrous and dishonorable.
I wonder what paladins of Lymnieris would say?
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I would talk to the GM about what exactly your code requires. It's possible that a GM could rule that premarital sex is un-chivalrous and dishonorable.I wonder what paladins of Lymnieris would say?
Depending on the client the fee may be waived. Either way there are certain standards that must be met before a client is accepted. We do believe in self-respect, after all.
The earlier discussion about mutual respect needing to overcome power imbalances and taking responsibility for producing a child is also quite relevant.
Are you certain you are fine having a child in this manner?
Are you certain you are fine with her having your child in that manner?
And is this how you wish for one of your children to be born? Is the life they are likely to be given what you wish for them?
We believe consent to be sacred, and as such it must be handled responsibly.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'm not sure that a mortal could be considered competent to give consent to a deity.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Why do so many people seem to think that paladins have weird hangups about sex?
Inserting a western, monotheistic religion into a pantheistic setting.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I'm going to be the Debbie Downer here.
I do think that sex and short term dalliances are completely allowed for paladins, as long as they are LG - respectful, honest, consensual and so on. That's not what ticks me off about scenario like this one and the 'my god sent me an angel to make an aasimar with, what honor' idea... Why would the mortal do it?
In most of these cases, just like this time, the character is a paladin, someone who is devoted to duty, doing the right thing, going out of their way to help others. Why does someone like that agree to have a child that they won't be able/allowed to take care of? To love, to see them grow, to have a relationship with... Wouldn't a paladin want to fulfill his or her parental duty to the best of their abilities, instead of being a glorified breeding stock for divines? Wouldn't it weigh down on their heart that there's a child of theirs somewhere and they will probably never see them?
This is pretty much my opinion too.
Topics like this have multiple layers. Can a paladin have sex? Sure. Absolutely. There are many stories with the idea of someone who's father was a paladin.
How would they do? The same way they do everything. BY THEIR CODE... They act with honor. They honor responsibilities. They do not lie. This is not the typical attitude of men hanging out in bars to pick up women. The paladin is NOT the guy who'll tell a woman what she needs to hear... He's not going to make promises then ride into the sunset...
My paladin pretty much was celibate. His philosophy was he would NOT give up his paladinhood or his quest. On the same token, He was off to fight impossible odds wherever he could find them. Anyone he married would eventually be a widow, any children he made would be an orphan. It wasn't something he was willing to do.
Then he became king and needed a queen/heirs and lots of fun RP drama commenced.
A paladin really doesn't do ANYTHING unless he is willing to deal with the consequences.
Doesn't help in THIS conversation... the whole 'deity' thing changes the dynamic somewhat.
My paladin also has a similar philosophy with alcohol. He does not get drunk. This does not mean he won't drink occasionally. However, booze lowers inhibitions, lowered inhibitions while wearing weapons lead to brawls, this leads to broken codes or evil acts...
Now they have amazing Fort saves, Good Cons, and the ability to remove poisons... So he'll partake some in moderation. but Never too much.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
WWCAD?
(What Would Captain America Do?)
Nah kidding. I find the situation rather dicey and questionable. If I were a paladin, I would absolutely ask why I am being requested to do sexual favors and what good it serves, regardless of if it's from a God or a person. That's just it; if an unquestionably good person asked this of you, would you do it without question? Why would the fact that a God is the one asking change things?
Ultimately, a Paladin, or any good-aligned character with a Wisdom score, will care about the results of their actions. To this we look at Simply Gabrieles post:
In most of these cases, just like this time, the character is a paladin, someone who is devoted to duty, doing the right thing, going out of their way to help others. Why does someone like that agree to have a child that they won't be able/allowed to take care of? To love, to see them grow, to have a relationship with... Wouldn't a paladin want to fulfill his or her parental duty to the best of their abilities, instead of being a glorified breeding stock for divines? Wouldn't it weigh down on their heart that there's a child of theirs somewhere and they will probably never see them?
Wow, well said!
However, if we are talking about the ethics of the action alone, we have Kolokotronis post:
Assuming the half god is not of an evil alignment (given they want heroes I am assuming as such) I dont see an issue unless your deity has some prohibition against procreation out of wedlock. Its certainly not against any general paladin's code. Especially if this demigod is some agent of good.
Also extremely well said.
Ethical actions without the consideration of consequences is simpler, but the world WE live in is not simple. Ten billion jokes have sprung from putting fantasy ethics in the real world.
It just depends on what kind of 'fantasy' your character is from.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
We live in a world where killing five prostitutes is a lawful act because profiting from the destruction of civilization is treason. A paladin defends the values of civilization. Marriage may be a cultural value where unmarried mothers represent chaos.
I think that first sentence could use some clarification, but from my perspective it looks like you're confusing Lawful Good with Lawful Neutral.
A Paladin upholds what they perceive to be the purest ideal of 'Goodness'. It has nothing to do with civilization. It doesn't have anything to do with culture, either. Being "Lawful" doesn't automatically mean following societal laws; it means following a lawful nature from inside oneself.
A Paladin does not kill someone lightly. A Paladin who kills on a whim or without ethical and logical consideration is one who has lost their way, and they will pay the consequences.
However, I'm sure someone else on this site could explain it a lot better than I did, so let's get back on track.
It is not really a problem that the paladin won't be around to raise the child, so long as this is communicated beforehand and provisions are taken to give the child a good upbringing. I would guess temples would have provision for this if they have paladins. Simply put, the paladin is out there to fight and die in service to the god in question and for Good. The paladin has other duties than raising a child. I doubt this would be seen as a problem by the church. And of course, the child might not like the idea, but that is not going to be first on the priorities of the other people involved.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
On the other hand, a family might be a distraction from said duties. It depends on the specific deity, I suspect. A paladin of a god of hearth and family might encourage it, or alternatively require a paladin to retire from battle and look after their progeny. But an austere god of righteous battle might consider it forbidden, or be all up for the arrangement where the church pays. Ater all, not all paladins necessarily believe the same things.
Precisely.
| 10 people marked this as a favorite. |
Unless your name is Galahad, I don't think you would be in any trouble.
Otherwise, your quest is too perilous. No, no, you can't face the peril, it's too perilous.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Too risky, I'm imposing a new rule where all paladins are required to get fixed at their nearest vet temple. Also, they'll need ranks in Perform (Boy's Choir).
More seriously, unless the paladin's deity specifically calls for celibacy, there should be no problem.
In many mythologies, gods have lots of sex with mortals. They don't go and smite or punish their lovers afterwards. The gods themselves often have looser morals than the mortals.
However, if this half-god is not on the paladin's deity's approved list (Thou shall not fraternize with that tramp/hoodlum), there might be a conflict of interest.
Other gods tend to take a dim view of their divine spouses' lovers, though.
|
It's less a hold over from "those stupid western/Christians" that modern culture is trying to apply their own ideas of what is ok, while ignoring the implied or small printing of the code. It's also important to remember that individual deity's views on the subject and also their individual Paladin codes ADD ON TO, but in no way replace the general Paladin codes, and have absolutely no bearing on the subject.
A few non-evil fantasy cultures do practice a sort of free-love, non-committal sort of sexual practice, the Elves and Halflings. Both are, surprise, surprise notably Chaotic cultures, (but not evil). On the other hand, Dwarven cultures, notably Lawful believe strongly in marriage.
So it's partially true, (mostly if you kind of ignore the parts you don't like) that Paladins can, it's also very true that it's probably not something a Paladin would want to do, any more than just cheating a little bit or just telling a few "harmless lies. Paladins get their powers from the forces of Law and Good, and it's a commitment to those principles that they willing choose to champion and follow, so personally, I'd be hard pressed to see a Paladin being okay with this, (in general). Add in that they might also follow a deity, or not, (if their deity is against it, like Eristal and Abadar likely would be, Iomedae and Sarenrae maybe, maybe not) it might add more personal reason for the individual character to be against the idea (mostly the one night stand perspective) but it should not make that character more okay with it, (as they are balancing their personal Paladin Code, the general one against the additional rules of their deity's teachings, which might come to a head as they are literally adding in a new master to split their views between, Law vs Good vs Deity).
Now, all that being said, it really just comes down to how much you (as the player) and your DM want to be true to the Paladin and the Code of Conduct. If you are okay with hand waving it, or the specific circumstances of your character and the half-god trying for a baby, and also just how realistic you want the game to be, (planning for a relationship, considering giving up adventuring to be a parent, etc. . .). All in all, I'd say check with your GM in the out of character sense. If it's more along the lines of a cool storyline, and could reasonably be something a Paladin's ok with, sure. If not, it might be a better idea to not, or a way to retire the character or something.
'Cause, c'mon, paladins don't do one night stands.Oh I love encountering misconceptions like this sometimes. It makes the education to follow so satisfying. :)
Just so everyone knows, I was joking....
But he'd better pay child support!
I'm more concerned about this demigoddess making the proposition. In terms of imbalance of power, this is way worse than, say, an adult propositioning a child. How can your consent be said to be free and uncoerced when, in the back of your head, you can't forget that she could squish you like a bug just by thinking it?
By that logic, is a level 1 commoner not competent to give consent to a level 20 adventurer?
Yes!!!
No!!!
Maybe!!!
I like exclamation marks a little too much!!!
I'm more concerned about this demigoddess making the proposition. In terms of imbalance of power, this is way worse than, say, an adult propositioning a child. How can your consent be said to be free and uncoerced when, in the back of your head, you can't forget that she could squish you like a bug just by thinking it?By that logic, is a level 1 commoner not competent to give consent to a level 20 adventurer?
Possibly, especially if the 20th level person is a spellcaster. I don't think the 20th level person should be propositioning someone over whom they have such literal power of life and death.